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Press release 30-04-2026 Plenary session   AGRI Parliament wants the EU to help strengthen and sustain livestock farming       • Wide-ranging, science-based livestock strategy to support farmers and rural communities • Robust budget and more innovation to strengthen the sector’s economic and environmental sustainability • Stronger action on animal diseases, fairer trade conditions and evidence-based food policies   MEPs want the EU to provide stronger support for an EU livestock sector facing economic, environmental, and social pressures. On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a series of proposals to boost productivity and efficiency in the livestock sector, by 426 votes in favour, 119 against and 40 abstentions. Its proposals include: - a data-driven strategy, focusing on innovation, precision farming, and boosting productivity and sustainability; - measures to safeguard Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budgets to maintain consistent financial support for livestock farmers; - stronger promotion of EU livestock products abroad, via clearer labelling practices and protection of geographical indications; - the creation of a high-level group on livestock, modelled on the high-level group on wine policy, to develop tailored solutions while respecting regional diversity; - stronger EU coordination on vaccination strategies, early detection systems, data sharing, alongside a centralised vaccination data bank and compensation mechanisms for farmers impacted by outbreaks. Quote Rapporteur, Carlo Fidanza (ECR, IT) said: "Europe’s livestock sector is a cornerstone of our identity, culture, and environment. We need a livestock strategy that is realistic, balanced, and consistent with the challenges of our time. In a world marked by war, instability, and market crises, the answer must be a strong, practical agricultural policy capable of ensuring food security and competitiveness. That means supporting farmers, rewarding sustainability, promoting the use of livestock digestate as a bio-based and circular alternative to synthetic fertilisers, and building policies grounded in science. This report offers a solid working basis for the EU livestock strategy that the European Commission is expected to present in the near future. A strong and innovative EU livestock sector is essential for our food sovereignty and the vitality of rural Europe". Background As the world’s second largest meat producer and leading milk producer, the EU maintains a strong global position in the sector, with livestock playing a vital role in supplying high-quality protein and nutrients for balanced diets. Global demand for animal protein is expected to rise significantly by 2050, reinforcing the sector’s long-term relevance. Despite this, the EU livestock sector is facing mounting economic, environmental, and social pressures. Livestock populations are declining, as are meat and dairy consumption levels, except for poultry. Many farmers are exiting the sector owing to economic difficulties, a lack of generational renewal, and insufficiently attractive prospects. Further information  Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development  Pro 30-04-2026 AFET   Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)       Next week’s highlights Homepage of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Meeting agendas and documents THE MEETINGS WILL BE WEBSTREAMED Monday 4 May 2026, 15.30 – 16.30 Tuesday 5 May 2026, 9.30 – 12.30 and 14.30 – 15.30 Room: ANTALL (2Q2)Brussels VOTES Tuesday 5 May 2026, 9.30 – 10.00 Countering transnational repression – towards an EU strategy to protect Europe’s sovereignty and democratic values The committee will vote on its own-initiative report on countering transnational repression with a view to developing an EU strategy to protect Europe’s sovereignty and democratic values. This AFET report builds on an earlier DROI report that focused specifically on transnational repression against human rights defenders. The report seeks to position the European Union as a global leader in countering transnational repression, a growing practice through which perpetrator states and their proxies undermine security, fundamental rights, and democratic resilience within the Union. 2025/2179(INI) Rapporteur: Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE, Germany) 2025 Commission report on Georgia The report focuses the European Parliament’s main concerns regarding the state of democracy and the rule of law in Georgia and the country’s progress towards European integration. It reflects the fact that democratic backsliding in Georgia has further intensified since the last report. The ruling Georgian Dream party continues its orchestrated and systematic campaign against the EU, while political opponents have been imprisoned or face threats and physical attacks. The report supports targeted EU and Member State sanctions against the Georgian Dream leadership and key officials and expresses support for the Georgian people, as they continue their struggle for a European and democratic Georgia. 2025/2257(INI) Rapporteur: Rasa Juknevičienė (EPP, Lithuania) 2025 Commission report on Albania The committee will vote on its annual report on Albania's progress towards European Union membership. Last year marked the opening of the final negotiation cluster, making Albania one of the front-runners among the Western Balkan candidate countries. 2025/2250(INI) Rapporteur: Andreas Schieder (S&D, Austria) 2025 Commission report on Montenegro The Committee will vote on its draft report on the Commission’s 2025 report assessing Montenegro's progress on its accession path over the past year, recognising its status as a frontrunner in the enlargement process, while encouraging the country to make further progress on key EU-related reforms. 2025/2253(INI) Rapporteur: Marjan Šarec (Renew, Slovenia) DEBATES Monday 4 May 2026 15.30 – 16.30 Jointly with the Committee on Budgets Ukraine Facility dialogue The Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Budgets will come together to discuss the implementation of the Ukraine Facility with Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of DG ENEST, focusing on financial support, reform progress, and oversight mechanisms. The exchange will assess how EU assistance is being delivered on the ground amid wartime conditions. Members are expected to raise questions on transparency, conditionality, and long-term reconstruction planning. The dialogue aims to reinforce parliamentary scrutiny of the EU’s flagship support instrument for Ukraine. Tuesday 5 May 2026 10.00 – 11.30 Exchange of views with members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the situation in Ukraine and Ukraine's path towards EU accession Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs will discuss the current situation in Ukraine and the country’s path towards EU accession with members of the Verkhovna Rada. The exchange will provide first-hand insights into political, security, and reform developments as the war rages on. Discussions are expected to focus on accession benchmarks, rule of law reforms, and institutional resilience. The meeting underlines continued European Parliament support for Ukraine’s European integration trajectory. Tuesday 5 May 2026 11.30 – 12.30 Jointly with the Committee on Development Establishing Global Europe The Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Development will present a draft report on the Global Europe proposal, a significant legislative file in the current cycle. The Global Europe instrument is intended to bring together the European Union’s external financing tools into a single, more flexible framework, enabling the EU to respond more effectively to global challenges while supporting its external priorities. 2025/0227(COD) Rapporteurs: Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany) Robert Biedroń (S&D, Poland) Tuesday 5 May 2026 14.30 – 15.30 Jointly with the Subcommittee on Human Rights Exchange of views on the current political and human rights situation in Cuba The debate will take place with the participation of the president of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and rapporteur for Cuba, Stuardo Ralón Orellana, and Cuban dissident and human rights activist José Daniel Ferrer. The discussion will focus on the ongoing socio-economic situation and its impact on the population, as well as the broader context relating to fundamental freedoms and Cuba's international positioning. FOLLOW US ON X and on Bluesky! Highlights, all press releases, important dates, new documents and much more are published on @EP_ForeignAff @afet.europarl.europa.eu Next meeting: 3 June 2026, 14.30 – 18.30 (Brussels) 4 June 2026, 9.00 – 12.30 (Brussels) Further information  Committee on Foreign Affairs Press release 30-04-2026 AFET   Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)       Next week’s highlights Homepage of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Meeting agendas and documents THE MEETINGS WILL BE WEBSTREAMED Monday 4 May 2026, 15.30 – 16.30 Tuesday 5 May 2026, 9.30 – 12.30 and 14.30 – 15.30 Room: ANTALL (2Q2)Brussels VOTES Tuesday 5 May 2026, 9.30 – 10.00 Countering transnational repression – towards an EU strategy to protect Europe’s sovereignty and democratic values The committee will vote on its own-initiative report on countering transnational repression with a view to developing an EU strategy to protect Europe’s sovereignty and democratic values. This AFET report builds on an earlier DROI report that focused specifically on transnational repression against human rights defenders. The report seeks to position the European Union as a global leader in countering transnational repression, a growing practice through which perpetrator states and their proxies undermine security, fundamental rights, and democratic resilience within the Union. 2025/2179(INI) Rapporteur: Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE, Germany) 2025 Commission report on Georgia The report focuses the European Parliament’s main concerns regarding the state of democracy and the rule of law in Georgia and the country’s progress towards European integration. It reflects the fact that democratic backsliding in Georgia has further intensified since the last report. The ruling Georgian Dream party continues its orchestrated and systematic campaign against the EU, while political opponents have been imprisoned or face threats and physical attacks. The report supports targeted EU and Member State sanctions against the Georgian Dream leadership and key officials and expresses support for the Georgian people, as they continue their struggle for a European and democratic Georgia. 2025/2257(INI) Rapporteur: Rasa Juknevičienė (EPP, Lithuania) 2025 Commission report on Albania The committee will vote on its annual report on Albania's progress towards European Union membership. Last year marked the opening of the final negotiation cluster, making Albania one of the front-runners among the Western Balkan candidate countries. 2025/2250(INI) Rapporteur: Andreas Schieder (S&D, Austria) 2025 Commission report on Montenegro The Committee will vote on its draft report on the Commission’s 2025 report assessing Montenegro's progress on its accession path over the past year, recognising its status as a frontrunner in the enlargement process, while encouraging the country to make further progress on key EU-related reforms. 2025/2253(INI) Rapporteur: Marjan Šarec (Renew, Slovenia) DEBATES Monday 4 May 2026 15.30 – 16.30 Jointly with the Committee on Budgets Ukraine Facility dialogue The Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Budgets will come together to discuss the implementation of the Ukraine Facility with Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of DG ENEST, focusing on financial support, reform progress, and oversight mechanisms. The exchange will assess how EU assistance is being delivered on the ground amid wartime conditions. Members are expected to raise questions on transparency, conditionality, and long-term reconstruction planning. The dialogue aims to reinforce parliamentary scrutiny of the EU’s flagship support instrument for Ukraine. Tuesday 5 May 2026 10.00 – 11.30 Exchange of views with members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the situation in Ukraine and Ukraine's path towards EU accession Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs will discuss the current situation in Ukraine and the country’s path towards EU accession with members of the Verkhovna Rada. The exchange will provide first-hand insights into political, security, and reform developments as the war rages on. Discussions are expected to focus on accession benchmarks, rule of law reforms, and institutional resilience. The meeting underlines continued European Parliament support for Ukraine’s European integration trajectory. Tuesday 5 May 2026 11.30 – 12.30 Jointly with the Committee on Development Establishing Global Europe The Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Development will present a draft report on the Global Europe proposal, a significant legislative file in the current cycle. The Global Europe instrument is intended to bring together the European Union’s external financing tools into a single, more flexible framework, enabling the EU to respond more effectively to global challenges while supporting its external priorities. 2025/0227(COD) Rapporteurs: Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany) Robert Biedroń (S&D, Poland) Tuesday 5 May 2026 14.30 – 15.30 Jointly with the Subcommittee on Human Rights Exchange of views on the current political and human rights situation in Cuba The debate will take place with the participation of the president of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and rapporteur for Cuba, Stuardo Ralón Orellana, and Cuban dissident and human rights activist José Daniel Ferrer. The discussion will focus on the ongoing socio-economic situation and its impact on the population, as well as the broader context relating to fundamental freedoms and Cuba's international positioning. FOLLOW US ON X and on Bluesky! Highlights, all press releases, important dates, new documents and much more are published on @EP_ForeignAff @afet.europarl.europa.eu Next meeting: 3 June 2026, 14.30 – 18.30 (Brussels) 4 June 2026, 9.00 – 12.30 (Brussels) Further information  Committee on Foreign Affairs Press release 30-04-2026 EUDS   Special committee on the European Democracy Shield       Next week's highlights Monday 4 May 2026, 16.30 – 18.30 European Parliament in Brussels, SPINELLI building, room 1E-2   Agenda | Meeting documents | Webstreaming | Committee homepage Foreign interference and electoral integrity in Bulgaria EUDS MEPs will hold an exchange of views on foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and the integrity of electoral processes in the context of the recent parliamentary elections in Bulgaria. MEPs will discuss the assessment of the measures taken with guests Velizar Shalamanov, Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister in the caretaker government, prominent investigate journalist Christo Grozev, as well as journalist and director of Balkan Free Media Initiative, Antoinette Nikolova. Bulgaria held parliamentary votes on 19 April 2026, the country’s eighth election in five years, amid continued political instability and concerns over corruption and electoral integrity.   Academic freedom in the EU MEPs will discuss recent developments affecting academic freedom in the EU, based on the findings of the Academic Freedom Monitor 2025. The exchange will cover the main challenges identified in the study, including political polarisation, commercialisation of academia and foreign interference with Professor Peter Maassen (University of Oslo) and Dr. Vicky Kosta (Leiden University). The Academic Freedom Monitor 2025, published by the European Parliamentary Research Service in February 2026, assesses academic freedom in the EU and proposes policy options to strengthen its protection. The analysis of academic freedom trends in the EU is available online. Further information  Special committee on the European Democracy Shield  Follow the EUDS committee on Bluesky  Follow the EUDS committee on X  Subscribe to news and press releases from EUDS  Calendar of EUDS committee meetings in 2025 Press release 30-04-2026 Committee on Constitutional Affairs highlights - Tuesday 5 May       Tuesday 5 May 2026, 11.00 – 12.00 European Parliament in Brussels, Altiero SPINELLI building, room 1G2 Vote 11.05 European political parties and foundations – 2026 report. Rapporteurs: Loránt Vincze (EPP, RO) and Charles Goerens (Renew, LU). Debate The institutional framework of the EU and its interaction with national authorities in the application of Union law, with particular reference to Article 19 TEU. First exchange of views. Rapporteur: Charlie Weimers (ECR, SE). Further information  Committee on Constitutional Affairs  Full agenda and meeting documents  Watch the meeting live and on demand  Follow us on X  Follow us on Bluesky